Johns Creek City aims to tie special council election to spring primaries

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Johns Creek City Attorney Bill Riley announced at the Oct. 8 City Council work session that the election to fill Post 6, left vacant when former Councilmember Bev Miller resigned, can be held in conjunction with next spring’s primary elections.

The city would have to otherwise pay $200,000 to hold its own special election to fill the empty seat. The state primaries are being moved back following a U.S. District judge’s mandate to have the elections sooner.

“Soon after the state legislature convenes this coming January, the legislators will select a date for the general elections. We will then have our election to fill this seat occur at the same time,” Riley said.

Miller resigned in late August, which made it too late to fill the empty council seat in this year’s November election.

There had been speculation that Johns Creek would have to conduct its own special election, thus incurring the costs. The judge’s July ruling means the city can roll that election into the primaries without any additional cost.